Manuel Marrero Cruz is the current Prime Minister of Cuba, but prior to his political appointment, he held significant roles connected to general finance within the tourism sector, a critical component of the Cuban economy. While not a finance minister or economist by training, his decades of experience managing Gaviota S.A., the tourism arm of the Cuban military, gave him substantial practical experience in financial management, investment, and revenue generation. Before becoming Prime Minister in 2019, Marrero spent years navigating the complex financial landscape of Cuban tourism, particularly within Gaviota. This involved overseeing a vast network of hotels, resorts, and related services. He was responsible for attracting foreign investment, negotiating deals with international hotel chains, and ensuring the profitability of Gaviota’s operations. His role demanded a keen understanding of financial planning, budgeting, cost control, and revenue optimization. Marrero’s work with Gaviota required him to understand how to generate revenue in a centrally planned economy, often operating under the constraints of U.S. sanctions and limited access to international capital markets. He had to devise strategies for maximizing income from tourism, managing expenses efficiently, and reinvesting profits into expanding and upgrading Gaviota’s infrastructure. This experience, while sector-specific, provided him with a valuable understanding of the financial realities facing the Cuban economy. His focus wasn’t on macroeconomic policy in the traditional sense. Instead, he dealt with the microeconomic realities of running a large business conglomerate. This included managing cash flow, ensuring solvency, and making strategic investment decisions. He would have had to understand the intricacies of Cuba’s dual currency system and its impact on financial transactions. While details about Marrero’s specific financial strategies within Gaviota are not publicly available, his long tenure suggests competence in his role. He successfully oversaw the expansion of Gaviota into a major player in the Cuban tourism industry. His experience likely contributed to his selection as Prime Minister, as his hands-on knowledge of a key economic sector was seen as valuable for addressing the country’s economic challenges. However, it’s important to note that his background in the tourism sector, while financially oriented, is different from having formal training in economics or finance. As Prime Minister, Marrero relies on the expertise of the Minister of Economy and Planning and other financial officials to formulate and implement broader economic policies. His strength lies in his operational experience and his understanding of how businesses operate within the Cuban context, providing him with a practical perspective on economic challenges and potential solutions. His role is primarily to oversee and coordinate the economic policies developed by the relevant ministries.